Armstrong stain offers a wide variety of color choices in an oil based semi-transparent penetrating formula. It should be noted that with any brand of wood stain, colors cannot be guaranteed. Colors and tones can vary depending on the wood type, the age of the wood, the condition of the wood, wood prep, and stain application.

Armstrong Clark Stain Color Help

As a general rule, the lighter the color, the more transparency it will have. This means that more of the wood’s natural grains will show through, which can have an influence on the final appearance. Darker colors will reflect more of the actual stain color but will still allow some of the wood grain to show through because it is a semi-transparent finish.

It is also worth mentioning that the darker the color the more resistant it is to UV fading. Darker colors have more pigment, which is what resists harmful UV rays. Lighter colors, will still provide adequate sun protection but not as much as the darker stain tones.

To be exactly sure how a certain Armstrong color will look on your wood surface, you can order a color sample. Apply the Armstrong color sample in an inconspicuous spot. Allow the stain to dry for several days to see the finished result. Order as many Armstrong color help samples as you would like. It is a good way to find the right color for your wood surface. There is nothing worse than staining a whole wood structure only to decide you do not care for the color.

With so many factors determining how a particular Armstrong color will look in its final appearance, it is wise to use the color help samples to find the tone you like. You should only need the Armstrong color help initially. Once the deck is stained you can keep it maintained with the same color unless you decide to change colors at some point.

I used cabots semi-solid stain on a test board and after it dried you could mar the surface by rubbing a piece of wood on it or remove most of it by rubbing it a few times with SCOTCH BRITE. After 1 coat and 24 hr. drying the surface feels dry or "thirsty" like the stain needed more oil binder in it. I read that your stain is top quality and I am trying to get some to try out. Will it have the faults that cabots has?

Installing Western red cedar deck next weekend and wood was kiln dried/was stored indoors at deck store. Should we wait until next spring to stain or can we do this fall. Confused by a few comments. Also would like to stain cut ends during installation, is this ok?How soon can stain be delivered to Mn? Thank you.

For Kiln dried, install, wait 2-4 weeks and prep first with the Restore A Deck Cleaning Kit. Takes 2-3 days to ship to MN. Do not stain end cuts. No need.

Installing Western red cedar deck next weekend and wood was kiln dried/was stored indoors at deck store. Should we wait until next spring to stain or can we do this fall. Confused by a few comments. Also would like to stain cut ends during installation, is this ok?How soon can stain be delivered to Mn? Thank you.

I am re-staining a south facing, tight knot,Western Red Cedar deck that was previously stained with a Sikkens product 2 years ago. The previous stain did not stand up well at all to our harsh climate (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada - 52.13N;106.67W). I'll strip and brighten the deck with RAD before applying AC stain but have a question about your transparent vs semi-transparent stain. Your transparent Redwood tone seems, from the photos, as dark as the semi-transparent Cedar tone. I like the rich appearance of the Redwood tone but need the UV protection. What is your suggestion?

I am re-staining a south facing, tight knot,Western Red Cedar deck that was previously stained with a Sikkens product 2 years ago. The previous stain did not stand up well at all to our harsh climate (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada - 52.13N;106.67W). I'll strip and brighten the deck with RAD before applying AC stain but have a question about your transparent vs semi-transparent stain. Your transparent Redwood tone seems, from the photos, as dark as the semi-transparent Cedar tone. I like the rich appearance of the Redwood tone but need the UV protection. What is your suggestion?

I just sanded my redwood deck down to the bare wood. How many coats of semi-transparent or semi-solid should I apply. I'm in the Pacific NW with lots of rain in the winter and sun in the summer. Part of the deck is exposed, part under cover.

I just sanded my redwood deck down to the bare wood. How many coats of semi-transparent or semi-solid should I apply. I'm in the Pacific NW with lots of rain in the winter and sun in the summer. Part of the deck is exposed, part under cover.

We adding a new deck and are trying to somewhat match the stain color of the new pressure treated wood for our existing deck. Can you advise if your semi transparent cedar or sierra redwood would be the best bet? Also, for the old deck, we've flipped the boards and sanded. Is it still necessary (or helpful) to use the brightener to restore Ph as it is basically fresh wood? Thanks!

It would be best to try some samples for the colors. Also, see this about new wood:https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain

We adding a new deck and are trying to somewhat match the stain color of the new pressure treated wood for our existing deck. Can you advise if your semi transparent cedar or sierra redwood would be the best bet? Also, for the old deck, we've flipped the boards and sanded. Is it still necessary (or helpful) to use the brightener to restore Ph as it is basically fresh wood? Thanks!

I live in Calgary, Canada, so ordering samples are cost prohibitive and we aren't super fussy on our color - just looking for a normal wood look on our 1 year old ptp deck - we have a full south exposure & lots of sun in Calgary - I was leaning to the Natural Oak, but have not found any reviews on what the color may turn out as - the cedar/amber look quite yellow-red. Any advice would be great. Thank you.

I live in Calgary, Canada, so ordering samples are cost prohibitive and we aren't super fussy on our color - just looking for a normal wood look on our 1 year old ptp deck - we have a full south exposure & lots of sun in Calgary - I was leaning to the Natural Oak, but have not found any reviews on what the color may turn out as - the cedar/amber look quite yellow-red. Any advice would be great. Thank you.

I have stripped and cleaned my ipe deck.I want to finish it so that it looks like it does now whileit is wet. The rich warm natural colors come through.I don't want to lose that.Should i use your clear natural oil?

We have 3 colors designed for IPE. The Amber color is the closest one to a wet look.

I have stripped and cleaned my ipe deck.I want to finish it so that it looks like it does now whileit is wet. The rich warm natural colors come through.I don't want to lose that.Should i use your clear natural oil?

We just finished staining the redwood stairs with Armstrong Clark natural tone.The stain brought out the red color that I do not like.After drying can we use the driftwood to mask the red color?I am so disappointed, it ruined a beautiful stairway.Any suggestions?

You cannot apply the Driftwood over the newly applied Natural. It will not soak in. Best to remove and start over.

We just finished staining the redwood stairs with Armstrong Clark natural tone.The stain brought out the red color that I do not like.After drying can we use the driftwood to mask the red color?I am so disappointed, it ruined a beautiful stairway.Any suggestions?

Do we need to use the cleaner and brightener even though no stain was ever used? Was going to use your suggestion of bleach, water and dish soap. Also what do you suggest to apply if a roller what kind as there are so many out there...thank you

Best to not prep with bleach but the Restore a Deck Kits. Yes, you have to prep wood before applying. If new wood, see this:

Do we need to use the cleaner and brightener even though no stain was ever used? Was going to use your suggestion of bleach, water and dish soap. Also what do you suggest to apply if a roller what kind as there are so many out there...thank you

We have a walkway that has never been treated. Just power washed and replaced some worn boards. Was going to use something that would fill in the cracks but after reading about the peeling problems and researching we are leaning towards the Ac semi solid. Will it even out the color of the new and old boards or what do you recommend?

It will help to blend the new and old wood but the new wood will still be slightly lighter in color. Make sure to prep first with a deck cleaner and a wood brightener.